Accelerating to Zero Grant Program
grant_single|update April 3, 2025
NS, Canada
Support for innovative equitable low-carbon transition projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
grant_single|grantors
- Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get $50,000 to cover 80% of the total cost of the project for up to 24 months to support a broad range of climate solutions promoting equity, reconciliation, job creation, community resilience, and other environmental benefits.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Grants can cover up to 80% of total project costs, requiring a minimum of 20% from matching funds or in-kind contributions.
- Acceleration grants, with a maximum funding of $75,000, are intended to help initiatives scale up within a 24-month period.
- Catalyst grants provide up to $10,000 as seed funding for new initiatives.
- Eligible matching funds can include non-cash contributions or in-kind contributions, provided these are auditable expenses directly related to the project.
- Funding decisions for the Catalyst Stream are provided within two weeks of application submission.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Projects that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Initiatives that lay the groundwork for ongoing greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
- Projects supporting the development of low-carbon housing, including building retrofits and net-zero new construction.
- Community-based renewable energy projects prioritizing social equity and innovative financing.
- Exploration of electric and/or shared mobility solutions with community-wide benefits.
- Projects enhancing social equity and promoting Reconciliation.
- Projects fostering job and skill development, biodiversity, and community resilience.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 40,000
Developing urban green spaces to increase community resilience and biodiversity
$ 32,000
Implementing a recycling program schools to reduce waste and promote environmental stewardship
$ 40,000
Launching a community composting program to reduce organic waste and improve soil health
$ 40,000
Launching a community solar energy project to enhance local renewable energy use
$ 40,000
Establishing a green roofing program for small businesses to enhance urban sustainability
$ 40,000
Creating a mobile app to promote sustainable transportation choices and reduce carbon footprint
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- Applicants must be organizations or companies, excluding individuals, individual schools or classrooms, provincially owned entities, including crown corporations, and political parties.
- Applicants must be based in or actively engaged in Nova Scotia, with the possibility for out-of-province partners if the primary applicant fits the criteria.
- Projects should be led by or partnered with organizations or communities representing historically racialized or marginalized groups for favorable consideration.
- Projects must lead to direct and/or potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over a 20-year period.
- Projects must secure a minimum of 20% matching funds, which can include non-cash contributions or in-kind contributions that are auditable and directly related to the project.
- Projects must occur primarily within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), but those led by First Nations or African Nova Scotian communities may occur outside these boundaries if they provide meaningful benefits to HRM.
- Projects must demonstrate scalability or replicability both within and beyond HRM.
- Projects must yield multiple community benefits, such as enhancing social equity, promoting Reconciliation, improving affordability, fostering job and skill development, enhancing biodiversity, or strengthening community resilience.
- Projects must be completed within a maximum of 24 months from the start date.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Organizations and companies based in or actively engaged in Nova Scotia
- Organizations or communities representing historically racialized or marginalized groups or communities are prioritized
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Individuals
- Individual schools or classrooms
- Provincially owned entities, including crown corporations
- Political parties
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Personnel salaries directly related to the project, provided they are an auditable expense.
- In-kind contributions such as salaries, if they are directly related to the project.
- Non-cash contributions used as matching funds.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
- Projects outside HRM led by First Nations or African Nova Scotian communities offering benefits to HRM
- Applicants must be based in or actively engaged in Nova Scotia
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Climate Impact: Projects must have long-term carbon reduction potential, focusing on scalability and replicability to enhance their impact.
- Equitable Participation: Projects should aim to correct historical and systemic disadvantages within climate solutions, ensuring inclusive participation and empowering all voices, particularly those most affected by climate change.
- Community and Partnerships: Beyond carbon reductions, projects should contribute to affordability, job creation, community resilience, health, and wellbeing, while fostering strong community partnerships.
- Reconciliation: Commitment to advancing a Reconciliation economy, drawing on Indigenous models that emphasize equitable wealth and resource sharing; projects should foster collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities.
grant_single_labels|apply
- Step 1: Review Guidelines and EligibilityRead the program guidelines to ensure your project aligns with eligibility criteria.
- Assess if your organization meets the requirements for application.
- Step 2: Submit Expression of InterestComplete the online expression of interest (EOI) form.
- Submit the EOI by the specified deadlines (May 5, 2025 for Spring; October 24, 2025 for Fall).
- Step 3: Initial ReviewHCi3 will review the EOI to assess alignment with program criteria.
- If necessary, HCi3 may contact you for initial discussions and further context gathering.
- Step 4: Full Application InvitationIf the EOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full proposal and budget.
- Step 5: Prepare Full ApplicationDevelop a detailed project proposal and budget documentation.
- Address any feedback or clarifications requested by the review committee.
- Step 6: Application SubmissionSubmit the complete application form and attach all required documents by the final set deadlines (May 23, 2025 for Spring; November 12, 2025 for Fall).
- Step 7: Funding DecisionA review committee will assess your full application.
- HCi3 will make a final funding decision following any necessary revisions or feedback.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Grants can cover up to 80% of total project costs, requiring at least 20% in matching funds or in-kind contributions.
- A review committee assesses applications and may request clarification or modifications before a final decision is made.
- Projects must be completed within 24 months from the start date.
- Applications can include non-cash contributions or in-kind services as matching funds if they are directly related to the project and auditable.
Apply to this program
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